“The computer system totally crashed,” he said. “We don’t know if it’s a virus or what it is.” Feinstone said a large volume restaurant such as his can’t operate without a computer system; the staff can’t put orders in for the kitchen or accept credit card payments. [source]

With recent attention being paid to Big Beer and craft breweries by the likes of Fortune and CNN, the Brewers Association issued a statement today regarding the increase in production of craft-like beers by large, non-craft breweries.

The not-for-profit trade association, which is dedicated to small and independent American craft brewers, called out Anheuser-Bush InBev and SABMiller for blurring the lines “between their crafty, craft-like beers and true craft beers from today’s small and independent brewers.”

What do you think about the statement? Read it below and feel free to comment.

An American craft brewer is defined as small and independent. Their annual production is 6 million barrels of beer or less and no more than 25 percent of the craft brewery is owned or controlled by an alcoholic beverage industry member who is not themselves a craft brewer.

The community of small and independent craft brewers has grown as beer enthusiasts embrace new, diverse beers brewed by their neighbors and friends who are invested in their local communities. Beer drinkers are voting with their palates and dollars to support these entrepreneurs and their small and independent businesses.

In 2011, small and independent craft brewers saw their industry grow 13 percent by volume; in the first half of 2012, volume grew by an additional 12 percent. Meanwhile, the overall beer industry was down 1.3 percent by volume and domestic non-craft was down 5 million barrels in 2011.

Witnessing both the tremendous success and growth of craft brewers and the fact that many beer lovers are turning away from mass-produced light lagers, the large brewers have been seeking entry into the craft beer marketplace. Many started producing their own craft-imitating beers, while some purchased (or are attempting to purchase) large or full stakes in small and independent breweries.

While this is certainly a nod to the innovation and ingenuity of today’s small and independent brewers, it’s important to remember that if a large brewer has a controlling share of a smaller producing brewery, the brewer is, by definition, not craft. However, many non-standard, non-light “crafty” beers found in the marketplace today are not labeled as products of large breweries. So when someone is drinking a Blue Moon Belgian Wheat Beer, they often believe that it’s from a craft brewer, since there is no clear indication that it’s made by SABMiller. The same goes for Shock Top, a brand that is 100 percent owned by Anheuser-Bush InBev, and several others that are owned by a multinational brewing and beverage company.

The large, multinational brewers appear to be deliberately attempting to blur the lines between their crafty, craft-like beers and true craft beers from today’s small and independent brewers. We call for transparency in brand ownership and for information to be clearly presented in a way that allows beer drinkers to make an informed choice about who brewed the beer they are drinking.

And for those passionate beer lovers out there, we ask that you take the time to familiarize yourself with who is brewing the beer you are drinking. Is it a product of a small and independent brewer? Or is it from a crafty large brewer, seeking to capitalize on the mounting success of small and independent craft brewers? [source]

“Well kids, here it goes. Southwestern Beverage has been sold to Budweiser of Memphis. I want to thank everyone for given me the best ride anyone could ever ask for especially Gene and John Barzizza. I also want to thank everyone who has given my all the support and love that I could ask for over the past 20 years. I hope you will continue to support Budweiser of Memphis and show them the same love that you have given us. They have make the commitment to continue what we have started and is putting together a great team. My son Michael Barzizza will be at Bud of Memphis to help carry the tourch. I dont know where the wind will take me,but like they say “one door closes and another opens”. Again, Thank your for making my life Wonderful! I love each and every one of you!”

Southwestern Beverage distributed more than 30 beer brands, including Memphis’ own Ghost River Brewing.

A 67-year-old Columbia, Tenn., man was jailed Saturday and accused of calling 911 at least nine times for non-emergency reasons, according to the Columbia Daily Herald.

Most of the calls were hang ups, but police say Allen Troy Brooks called 911 and asked the dispatcher for a ride to get some beer. Brooks was arrested and charged with aggravated 911 calls in a non-emergency situation — a class A misdemeanor. He was later released on bond.

Here’s a partial transcript of the 911 call, taken from the video below by ABC News’ Nashville affiliate WKRN.